Yesterday, I hopped the train to Kanchanaburi, 100 miles northwest of Bangkok. Train rides are usually low stress transportation, often with a lot of personality. And the ride to “Kan” is a lot of personality.

It is easy to have fun in Bangkok. We started off at a hotel on the city’s Chao Phraya River and got around town in a wooden water taxi that linked to Bangkok’s “BTS,” an above ground train system that is immaculate, fast and cheap.

We have been happy happy happy in Chiang Mai during the three days of Loi Krathong, Thailand’s festival of lights. Loi Krathong celebrates water spirits with thousands of candle-lit lanterns set off into the skies, candle lit boats of flowers sent down the river, parades, music and fire works.